| Additional Information: | 2020-2024 Targeted Resurvey of Sheboygan recommendation write-up:
This two-story plus raised basement industrial building is comprised of a 1926 brick-clad block, along with a two-story, concrete block addition (1976) and a one-story loading dock addition to the east. Each of the street-facing elevations feature brick piers that rise beyond the height of the building; they alternate with slightly shorter and narrower piers. Between each pier is a window; the west openings are glass block while the openings along the south, Alabama Avenue elevation are two-light glass examples. Aside from window replacement, alterations appear to be limited.
The Ross Glove Company was originally founded in 1916 by Hugh Ross, John Spiller, and Frank Brandt. Located at South Water and S. 9th Street, it was incorporated in February 1917 and named the Ross-Spiller Glove Company. In May 1925, construction began on a new, $32,000 factory building at 1032 Alabama Avenue which was designed by William C. Weeks. By April 1926, Ross bought out his partners and the company was renamed the Ross Glove Company. As of 1929, the company employed approximately 175 people. From 1925 through the early 1950s, Ross was as a director on the board of the National Association of Leather Glove Manufacturers, serving as its president in his earlier years. From 1946 to 1959, Ross Glove manufactures between 40,000 to 60,000 dozen pair of gloves per year, including various styles of gloves used by the U.S. Army and Air Force. Hugh died in 1957 and the company was taken over by his son Carl. Beginning in 1959, gloves were imported from the Philippines and sold to wholesalers and retailers throughout the United States. A loading dock addition was made to the factory in 1976 and unidentified alterations in the amount of $48,000 were made in 1989.
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| Bibliographic References: | LJM Architects, Inc. City of Sheboygan, Wisconsin: Architectural and Historical Intensive Survey Report. City of Sheboygan Historic Preservation Commission & Department of City Development; 2002, 2004 & 2006.
Citations for the 2020-2024 Recommendation write-up:
Sanborn Map Company, Sanborn Fire Insurance Map for Sheboygan, Wis. (New York: Sanborn Map Company, 1903 updated to 1949); “Improvements Recorded in Western Builder,” The Sheboygan Press, 20 November 1916, 5, incorporation of company; “Sheboygan’s Building Costs in April This Year Total is $405,447,” The Sheboygan Press, 25 May 1925, 2; “Hugh Ross Rites Will be Friday,” The Sheboygan Press, 13 March 1957, 1, 16; “Three Industries in City Featured by Woman’s Club,” The Sheboygan Press, 9 March 1960, 15; “Ross Glove Addition Tops Permits,” The Sheboygan Press, 17 May 1976, 23; “New Home Construction Leads List of Building Permits, The Sheboygan Press, 8 October 1989, 19. |
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